Systems and methods for providing customized multi-function device interfaces using user authentication

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatuses of the present invention enable customized user interfaces and storage based on the identity of a user. After authenticating a user, the multifunction device will present a user with objects, such as print jobs, associated with the user. The consumer may also be presented with an automatically generated container containing all objects associated with the user. Additionally, graphical user interface icons associated with user objects may be prioritized in a graphical user interface that displays default information.

1 . A method for presenting user-customized graphical user interfaces, comprising: 
 receiving at least one job from a known user of a multi-function device;    generating at least one workflow object, wherein the at least one workflow object is associated with the at least one job and the known user;    storing the at least one workflow object;    receiving, at the multi-function device, authenticating information for the user;    identifying the at least one workflow object based at least in part on the authentication information; and    providing the at least one workflow object on a display.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising searching a plurality of stored workflow objects, using the authentication information, to identify the at least one workflow object.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically creating a container associated with the known user, and associating the at least one workflow object with the container.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein automatically creating a container comprises automatically creating a container upon receipt of the at least one job from the known user.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising identifying the container based at least in part on the authentication information.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising providing the container on the display.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the at least one workflow object on a display comprises prioritizing the placement of the at least one workflow object on the display based at least in part on the authentication information.  
   
   
       8 . A method of associating content with a user, comprising: 
 receiving at least one job from a known user of a device;    associating the at least one job with the known user using metadata;    creating a workflow object corresponding to the at least one job, wherein the workflow object is associated with the metadata; and    storing the workflow object and metadata,    such that the workflow object and metadata may be automatically retrieved after the authentication of the known user at the device.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising creating a container and associating the container with the workflow object.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the container is automatically generated upon the creation of the workflow object.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising creating a container, and associating the container with the metadata.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1   1 , wherein the container is automatically generated upon the creation of the workflow object.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising searching the workflow object or metadata to determine if the workflow object or metadata are associated with an identified user of the device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising displaying the workflow object to the known user after the authentication of the known user at the device.  
   
   
       15 . A device operable to print a document, comprising: 
 a graphical user interface operable to receive authentication information from a user; and    an object store, in communication with the graphical user interface, wherein the object store is operative to: 
 use the authentication information to identify items associated with the user; and  
 automatically present the items to the user on the graphical user interface, without a user instruction to do so, such that the items associated with the user are prominently displayed to the user on the graphical user interface.  
   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the items comprise a workflow object or a container.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device is a printer.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device is a multi-function product capable of printing a document.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the object store is further operative to automatically generate at least one item associated with the user.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the object store is operable to compare the authentication information with the automatically generated at least one item.